Benefits and Risks of Weight Loss Surgery

Bariatric surgery serves as a tool to assist you in weight loss. It’s important to understand both the benefits and risks when making a decision. You can learn about the benefits and risks of surgery for you personally by talking with the doctor at the educational seminars and again at your office consultation.

Benefits

Many of the benefits of bariatric surgery are related to improvement in other medical conditions as a result of the weight loss. Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and high cholesterol may be resolved or improved after surgery.

Additionally, our patients also describe to us an improved quality of life and the ability to participate in activities that were too difficult prior to their weight loss.

Risks of Surgery

There are risks and potential complications associated with all surgical procedures. However, there are many safeguards in place to decrease the risk of surgery. Morbid obesity may increase your surgical risks. It is important that your surgeon have as much information as possible about your medical and surgical history so that he can discuss your risks benefits, and alternative treatments with you, and thus allow you to make an informed decision about bariatric surgery.

To reduce the risks, it is important that you are as healthy as possible before surgery. Please discuss your plans for bariatric surgery with your primary care physician to determine if you are medically stable. Having optimal control of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension may help decrease your risk.

Before Surgery

• You will be asked to be cleared by a specialist before surgery if you have a history of heart, lung, kidney or other problems. We may also have the specialist follow you post-operatively.
• You will be asked to begin a diet prior to surgery. It typically runs two weeks. The diet is to shrink the liver which lies close to the stomach and will make it easier for the surgeon to perform the surgery.
• Stop smoking! Cigarette smoking or other tobacco usage increases your immediate post-operative risks for blood clots, bleeding, poor healing and respiratory complications. It can also increase your long-term risk for ulcers. Our surgeons will not operate on current smokers due to the risk of post op complications. If you have questions regarding smoking cessation, please contact us. You can also discuss this with your primary care physician.
• Begin an exercise program prior to surgery. Exercise may improve your cardiopulmonary status. Be sure to discuss an exercise program with your doctor before you begin to determine if the program is appropriate for your medical situation.
  

Surgery done by an experienced bariatric surgeon in a facility that is experienced in the care of the bariatric surgery patient can improve surgical outcomes. Piedmont Medical Center has an experienced team of nurses, medical consultants, and ancillary staff to care for you before, during and after your hospital stay.